Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

Office tasks like answering phone calls or sorting mail are starting to be done by smart software. For example, Zoom’s new “Virtual Agent” is an AI receptionist that can greet callers in natural language and route requests 24/7 ^[1]. In customer-service centers, companies like Bank of America now use AI to handle routine questions so human staff can focus on harder problems ^[2].

Similarly, AI tools can help with emails, forms and documents. A recent Google report found that if workers use AI for everyday admin tasks (like drafting replies or scheduling) it could save about 122 hours per year ^[3]. At the same time, officials note that technology (including AI) lets employees prepare their own documents without a secretary, which can reduce some secretarial work ^[4].

In short, many predictable tasks (answering calls, drafting routine letters, basic data entry) are increasingly automated or AI-assisted, while people continue to review and handle anything complex or personal. Humans still do the final editing, check for mistakes, and handle sensitive requests ^{[2] [3]}.

Whether offices pick up these AI tools quickly depends on cost, training and trust. In theory AI can boost productivity – for example Google says the gains from admin-AI could add hundreds of billions to an economy ^[3]. In practice, businesses must weigh the price of new software against a human salary (a secretary makes about $47,460 per year ^[4]).

Another factor is familiarity: a UK pilot showed many workers (especially older staff) had never tried AI for work, but simple training doubled their usage within months ^[3]. Some people worry about using AI or losing jobs, so managers and even policymakers stress keeping “human in the loop.” For example, U.S. lawmakers are considering rules to make sure callers can still reach a real person if needed ^[2]. Overall, AI can save time and money and businesses see its benefits, but factors like tool costs, employee training, comfort with technology, and a preference for human contact will affect how fast it spreads.